Crackling audio

[NevinStoltz]

I am a voice actor with an in home studio. I have used zoom for over 2 years for video meeting and such with no sound issues at all. All of a sudden about a month ago, I've started having crackling audio coming through when in zoom meetings. It only happens through zoom, all other audio sounds perfect. 

I'm on 64 bit Windows 10 using a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface. 

I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling zoom as well as my audio drivers and the drivers for the interface. 

Any ideas on what might be causing it and how to fix?

Thank you!

[Loretta1]

I am having the same problem and have been unable to properly lead two meetings - August and September.

[RN]

Hey @NevinStoltz, assuming you've looked into the How to set up your Focusrite audio interface with Zoom on Windows article on properly setting up the Focusrite audio interface?

I'd also advise if you're using a 3rd party Audio interface to disable any Audio enhancements from Zoom Settings > Audio, such as suppressing background noise and options under 'Music and Professional Audio'. After doing so, see if that helps. If not, I'd also suggest checking all drivers are up-to-date. 

I hope this provides you with some gudience! 

[PatMay]

Had zoom for 3 years and no issues. Now I have crackling sound only in zoom. Tried updating drivers and all the usual sound setting hints. It is still happening and making zoom meetings with multi users almost impossible, what is going on please

[RN]

Hey @NevinStoltz and @Loretta1, was my reply helpful? If so, don't forget to click the 'Accept As Solution' button! Thanks!

[mubdi]

I was having this problem as well -- where Zoom was working fine with my Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 on a Windows 10/11 system, and then some update introduced an issue.  The solution above didn't help. However, this on the Focusrite site has seemed to fix my issue: I'm getting clicks, pops or distortion using Discord/Zoom/Teamspeak or VoIP app on Windows – Focusri...

[SCTVMC]

I checked those settings and they are as advised, but we are still getting cracking audio.  Changing the advanced audio setting "Signal processing by Windows audio device drivers" back and forth between the Auto, On and Off settings stops the issue for a minute or two.  None of the 3 options solves the issue, but works briefly.  We do need a more durable solution for this. 

Like others, this started a couple of months ago as if a switch had been flipped.  Had no issues for over a year prior to that.

[DavidLaurenth]

I have the same problem. I want to connect obs with zoom through a virtual cable but doesn’t work because I get a sound with a crackling sound. I have this problem only with zoom, with google meets or Microsoft teams works well. So, I think that the problem it’s about zoom. Please, help! I need it!

[Soham_38]

I too have the same issue but I am using realtek audio drive

[Cherpitel]

my issue comes & goes..... using decent audio lavalier USB mic for better quality than built in -- on Mac -- it will be fine then other participants say it starts crackling..... have switched USB ports & it clears ... then returns again.... a pain.... sometimes the mic works for hours.... WHAT IS THE CAUSE ? --- MODERATOR, PLEASE COMMENT, THANK YOU

[Dippiedip]

Same issue. Started within last few months. Keep trying to make adjustments and nothing fixes. Also on Mac, bought yeti mic to help - nope! Would love solution!

[TimKeenan]

Absolutely same issue. Zoom worked perfectly during lockdown. Since last year crackling on my microphone ONLY when using zoom and zoom always crashing. Teams works great. I'd migrate, but company has a zoom license and all meetings on zoom. It's impossible to work with. I have to mute audio and comment using chat!!!

[DrDK]

This problem came on suddenly back around August, I think (I don't have to use Zoom very often these days so I can't be more specific). It ONLY occurs in Zoom... running my Scarlett18i8 3rd gen AI in OBS, my audio workstation (recording), and every other app is fine. Using my Yeti in Zoom is also fine. But Zoom does not get along with my AI. It can be heard at the Settings--Audio--Microphone--Test Mic, on test recordings I run, and to my meeting participants in real time. All drivers are up-to-date, all cables are good, etc. If I were running a recording session using my audio workstation the crackling sounds like a sample rate issue, but I can't figure out why Zoom would have this problem nor how to test sample rates in Zoom.

[matrix1108]

Hey! I had the same problem with my Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. On my windows computer, on the Focusrite settings on the lower-right (near the clock), I clicked on the Focusrite Icon to open the settings and changed the buffer size from 256 to 512. Voila! It was magically gone. Works perfect now. 

Might not work for you, but it's worth a shot! Good luck

[DrDK]

BRILLIANT!  My buffer was at 1024, bumped it down to 512 and it sounds just fine!  Easy-peasy. 

Thanks so much! ;^)

[Djumpax]

Hi. I'm an audio engineer and I do podcast editing and post-production. I noticed the same problem months ago on zoom audio recordings that I usually receive from my clients almost every day. After some research I can conclude this crackle sound has nothing to do with equipment, sound interface, computer or audio settings (it's a BS). It's a generic digital fast-clicking sound which is somehow subtly added to the 3-9 khz frequency range in real time. I reviewed over a hundred different recordings, from different people with different equipment from different parts of the world. *Crackling was always the same* That says a lot about this problem. This leads to only one conclusion - it's caused while live recordings over zoom. Since it's a frequency range that requires corrections very often, crackling sound becomes even more expressive. None of the denoising software I own can painlessly remove it, so I'm forced to remove it manually.  The reason for this  issue may very likely be an error or a bug in the backend audio code on zoom service - or it was done intentionally. Why? I still don't have a meaningful answer. It could also be caused by a global digital glitch or something. That's already a conspiracy theory. Thanks, V.

[DrDK1]

Bumping buffer to 512 fixed it.